so does that mean that the tires that we currently use are out the window at the end of the year?[/b]
That sounds like the perfect question for our tire suppliers. This rule change has been in the works for several years, so the DOT-R suppliers should have a handle on what it will mean.

Interestingly there is an article in the April isue of Grassroots Motorsports (page 171) on this topic that adresses some of the new test requirements. The closing paragraph says (in part) "...because of the unique service conditions DOT-legal competiton tires are designed for, the severity of these new NHTSA tests may reverse the trend of competition tires becoming more like their pure racing brethren, and force them into becoming more like real street tires."

And a little side thread hijack -- has anyone seen the new Nitto DOT-R tire that is molded with 6/32" tread?